PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF NOROVIRUS GASTROENTENRITIS IN CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS IN AUCHI, ETSAKO WEST, EDO STATE

Acute gastroenteritis has been reported as the second largest cause of preventable child mortality, accounting for an estimated annual 1.5 million deaths. In Nigeria, routine clinical diagnosis of infectious diarrhoea is bacterial-focused, leaving out the viral agents. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Norovirus in children under five years with acute gastroenteritis in Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria. One hundred and twenty three faecal samples collected from children under five years from the hospital in Auchi. Etsako West between May to July 2024. Viral Nucleic Acid was extracted using Kit (DaAn Gene DA0591- RNA/DNA extraction kit) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Samples were analysed Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (rt-PCR) using a set of commercially prepared kit (HY06193 RNA Norovirus detection kit). Among the samples analysed, 7.3% (n=9) tested positive for Norovirus. Additionally, 1 (11.1%) of infants aged 0-1 years, 4 (44.4%) of children aged 2-3 years, and 4 (44.4%) of children aged 4-5 years tested positive for Norovirus. However, a chisquare test (0.262) revealed no significant difference in prevalence between these age groups (p-value = 0.877). Males had a higher rate of Norovirus infection 6 (66.7%) than females 3 (33.3%), but this difference was not statistically significant (p-value = 0.223). Crèche children had a higher rate of Norovirus infection 5 (55.6%) than primary school children 4 (44.4%), but this difference was not statistically significant (p-value = 0.611). Although urban residents exhibited a higher prevalence 4 (44.4%) compared to rural residents 2 (22.2%), this difference was not statistically significant (p-value = 0.501). These findings highlighted the need for further research to understand the factors influencing Norovirus transmission and develop effective prevention strategies in the region. This study demonstrates that Norovirus is a significant contributor to the burden of gastroenteritis in Etsako West, Auchi. Consequently, ongoing surveillance of Norovirus epidemiology is essential for effective prevention and treatment of this disease.